Pellet gun shootings prompt warning of 'dangerous social media trend'

A gel pellet gun shooting in a Vaughan park has prompted York Regional Police to warn about "a dangerous social media trend" that encourages shooting strangers with water or gel beads.

Two victims received minor  injuries when they were hit with gel pellets after a male youth fired at a group of young people last Saturday at about 6:30 p.m. near a park at Hawstone Road and Starling Boulevard, said a York Regional Police news release. The shooter fled before officers arrived.

The rising number of incidents involving youth with replica firearms has prompted police to warn parents and teens that many replica firearms look identical to real guns.

"Police responding to these weapons calls are often in the position of having to make quick decisions on whether the weapon is real, a toy or a replica, which could have significant consequences," police said.

Shootings involving Orbeez guns, many of which are painted to resemble real firearms, have been featured in the social media posts, police said.

The beads can cause serious injury when fired from an air-powered gun, police said, and firing gel pellet guns can result in serious charges, including assault with a weapon.

"Citizens should be aware that when police respond to any call involving a firearm, it is treated as legitimate until an investigation can determine otherwise," police warned.

Police-involved shootings have occurred where the firearm is later determined to have been a replica — there is often no way to tell if the weapon is real prior to investigation — and the officer has been found to be justified in their actions, police said.

Replica firearms, air guns, gel guns or toy guns used in the commission of another offence are considered legitimate weapons and those responsible will face significant criminal charges, police added.

If you damage property or injure a person or animal by discharging an air gun, you could be subject to criminal charges and civil liability.
 
"For the safety of our communities, we strongly discourage the purchase and use of these items in our region," police said.

To report a possible emergency related to firearms, call 911. Call 1-866-876-5423, ext.7008 for non-emergencies. You can also share information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online.